Securing a smooth driving trip is not as easy as it sounds. You must ensure the vehicle’s electronic stability control unit (or ESCs) always stays within safe territories!
And to achieve such a feat, learning everything there is to know about ESCs is important.
So what does ESC off mean for your car, and is there any proper solution to tackle that dilemma? Bryan’s Garage team is delighted to tell you the answer in the next sections.
Curious already? Then keep scrolling for more!
How Does An ESC Work?
Though the answer might fluctuate across different models, most cars use high-quality sensors to observe your direction and speed.
As previously discussed, once you lose control, it will come to the rescue by reducing engine power and applying brakes to all four individual wheels.
From here, drivers can slowly regain their stability and sidestep fishtailing/skidding accidents.
What Does ESC Off Mean? The ESC Off Light Meaning
What does ESC off mean in a car? ESC Off in car is a good sign that your vehicle still works fine, with no need for the system to interfere.
ESC is a shortened form of Electronic Stability Controls.
As the name suggests, this system was designed for the vehicle to keep its professional driver under control and stable at all times – especially under emergency circumstances.
Once ESCs detect any sense of losing the car’s traction control, it will automatically press the brakes to separate wheels, reducing engine power booster to stabilize the automobile.
In this case, you can even notice the traction control light illuminating and the car not accelerating.
Regardless of slippery conditions and weather, the program always keeps an eye on you to guarantee your 100% safety. Road accidents will always be kept at bay this way!
Popular Misconceptions
Sometimes, you might feel like turning off the entire ESCs system/notifications – such as amidst the snow or mud.
Certain drivers believe switching the ESC off car can help them get out of those annoying mud puddles much easier.
Too bad, that’s far from the case. Leaving the ESCs program on actually sustains better vehicle control, preventing it from getting stuck further!
Turning ESCs off might put both you and the passengers at worse risks.
Another popular misbelief is that ESCs turned on may affect driving performance. Again, we cannot stress enough how wrong that assumption is!
There’s no way this system can hamper your driving ability.
On the contrary, it helps improve your road experience by delivering further insights into how the vehicle copes with external weather and adverse conditions.
And some drivers even say that ESCs are not fuel-efficient! How absurd! The device is built for optimal efficiency, meaning it will never use more gas than necessary!
When Is It Okay to Switch Off The ESC Notifications?
Of course, there might still be cases where switching off ESCs might be needed – such as races or competitions that forbid ESC usage.
Also, some people find this safety feature a bit annoying when driving on level, dry roads. If there seems to be no danger or too much traffic, you might turn off ESCs systems here.
They will not interfere even if you seem to lose traction – which is great for areas with excessive gravel or sand. Cornering or turning can also be much easier!
However, we need to remind you that those circumstances are rare. Aside from the exceptions listed above, keeping ESCs notifications on all the time is a must – in our opinion.
Why Is The ESC-Off Indicator Light Turned On? Four Possible Reasons
Now that we have answered your question, What does ESC off mean in my car?, it’s time to find out while its lights keep blinking. Check out some reasons below:
1. Your ESCs Systems Have Been Turned Off
As we already mentioned, you can turn off the entire system with a flick of your wrist – which is acceptable for almost every vehicle.
After all, the feature can be a bit bothersome in conditions/races that do not require or even forbid ESC activation.
However, since the car can no longer monitor your safety in these cases, it tries to send you an SOS message by turning on the ESCs light instead.
So before taking the vehicle to a repair shop, double-check to see whether you have switched the ESCs system off and forgot to turn it back on.
Should that be the case, all you need is to activate the program again. Look through online instructions or manuals if you do not know how to do that.
The reason this factor is put at the first spot on our list? It’s because it can save you lots of unnecessary repair costs.
Things would be quite hilarious if you spent hours traveling to a service shop only to have the system turned on within seconds!
2. Faulty Angle Steering Sensor
Angle steering sensors are another sub-system within the ESCs.
They calculate the steering angle and the car’s direction during movements, sending this data straight to ESC’s real-time primary control program.
Whenever you make turns, the engaged wheels at those moments will spin more than the rest – this should be a standard knowledge unit for every attentive driver!
Nevertheless, if these sensors fail to stay in normal operating conditions – or send off wrong information to the ECU, your car might assume that one wheel is slipping.
Believing that you are in dangerous conditions, the warning light will turn on to transmit SOS messages!
On the contrary, the other wheels still enjoy perfect traction. Such an imbalance of tire pressure among the four wheels will result in uncalled interventions from your ESCs.
3. Faulty Speed/Transmission Wheel Sensors
There are cases when the ESCs light is turned on due to technical problems within these systems themselves. Faulty speed/ transmission sensors are a high probability!
If you still remember our previous discussions, the ESCs work by observing each wheel’s speed – and modifying the brakes to make up for velocity differences between four wheels.
Thus, once the speed sensors malfunction, ESCs systems might struggle to adjust and observe how you drive – causing their lights to throw on.
Always confirm that the sensors are operating fine before you start the trip. Buy a good scan tool and note down individual sensor speeds in your daily driving.
4. Defective Electrical/Unusual Wiring Harness Issues
In these cases, the sensors still function well. Instead, it’s the ECU electrical connections and sensors that lead to ESC-off lights!
Though these causes are rarer than the rest, they can still occur for exposed engine ground wires or wheels with speed sensors.
The car’s bad battery cells might be another problem – even though not many people think of them. Whenever you check the sensors, do not forget to take a quick look at them as well!
Here is a funny story: one mechanic wasted 12 hours fixing ESC systems that keep activating at high velocities – only to discover the issue lies in the battery’s dead cells!
How to Fix The ESC-Off Light Turned On?
Now that you know the four possible reasons behind the ESC-Off light, here are several corresponding solutions to each of those causes. Check out!
Turn On Your ESC System
We must stress again that checking whether your system has accidentally been turned off is the best way to save repair expenses.
If you indeed switched it off and forgot to turn it on, do so immediately. The process is also fairly simple: flick your fingers on the on/off button!
Confirm Whether There Are Other Lights
Take a closer look at the dashboard and observe whether the car also has other lights. Take note of any usual lighting that goes with the ESC lights.
That way, you can track the root causes behind their activation much easier!
Replace The ABS Wheel Sensors
Do the ESC lights turn up along with your ABS wheel sensor lights? Chances are these abs sensors are defective or loudsy.
The fastest solution is to test how they work and replace all the malfunctioning ones. These sensors come pretty cheap at most retailers and stores, anyway!
Check it out this video to know how to replace the ABS wheel sensors:
If the budgets allow, you can also replace the sensors in pairs. Once done, drive the car for two or three miles. The lights will shut off by then!
Adjust Your Steering Angle
A truck or car with offset steering angles will trigger your electronic control dashboard light to blink.
A clear signal of wrong steering angles is that the tires refuse to come straight whenever you place your steering rear wheels in the middle. Adjust the angle manually or turn to professional help!
Inspect The Fuses or Contact Certified Mechanics
The method seems unexpected, but trust us, it can be your lifesaver! Some drivers have reported encountering this problem and trying out all the methods above to no avail.
Desperate, they resorted to the fuses. Though these devices still work well, the light surprisingly disappeared after the fuses’ reinstallment!
But what if you still fail to settle the issue? Then it’s time to contact auto mechanics. They will help you track the culprits and offer the best solutions.
FAQs
Can I Keep Driving with ESC Dash Lights Turned On?
First, we must clarify that ESC lights turned on do not always mean danger or road problems.
For instance, those who drive on a slippery road or wet surfaces might see the lights flicker on and off quite frequently.
But fortunately, there is still no loss of control, so you do not need to worry about accidents!
But what if the light ALWAYS blinks or during moments it is not supposed to? Chances are you are entering life-risking territories!
The system will try to help you regain stability by switching the ABs and pressing individual brakes on every wheel. The brakes will keep pumping to guarantee your balance – even at 80 miles an hour!
So what is the main takeaway here? While accidents are not always a threat in most cases, you should be more careful if the lights are turned on more often than expected.
What Are The Costs for Fixing The Electronic Stability Controls?
The typical costs for electronic stability system replacements fluctuate between $99 and $111. Small parts add up to $52, and labor services are estimated at $47-$59.
Remember that these calculations do not count fees and taxes. Also, they might change according to your specific locations or road conditions.
Conclusion
So what does ESC off mean? This article has explained ESC off meaning to our confused readers in excruciating detail.
Reasons why the lights are turned on when they should not also are discussed, accompanied by a broad array of immediate solutions!
Do you still find it a struggle to comprehend the entire concept? We always have your back.
For further inquiries regarding the common issue, What does ESC off mean in car?, simply comment under this article and send us a PM!